Question:
I just completed my 3 weeks of training at the Millington academy and getting ready to go for orientation starting March 7. Upon completion on March 9 (Fri.), I will be ready to go out for my 6 weeks with a mentor. I heard these guys are hard to come by. I cannot afford to leave without having a mentor, its been a month with no income so I need something coming in. Are there any Swift mentors out there that could take me? I'm just trying to be sure. I have to go to Memphis for orientation.

Answer:
I think by "mentor" you mean your Swift trainer? If so, they'll assign one to you. You won't have much choice in the selection, as they're assigned by availibility at your orientation location when you've completed the orientation. Not everyone completes the orientation process, (medical, drug screen, ability to listen to directions...etc) so the actual matching is usually delayed till they know for sure.
(mentor? is that an "mentor associate"? )http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/graphical/sect...onusWeek.php#tabs

Answer:
Yeah, I mean a trainer, Swift calls them mentors. I know we have to go through some more before that actually happens, but I'm trying to get prepared. I know that i myself cannot choose a trainer, but I have seen a couple of them taking information from prospective students and saying "I'll see what I can do" or "I can get you on my truck." The problem for me is I have given up too much to go back there and at the end of orientation have to go home and wait for a trainer. Thats all. I am just going by what I have seen.
There was this one trainer that had a student with him who had like 2 weeks left, he told one of my fellow classmates that if the timing lined up, he would take him. He also got the student's name and information, I guess to go through the processor. Then one of my roommates has a friend that is already a Swift mentor, and he was told that when he completes his orientation he could get on his truck for training. I don't know. I just wouldn't know what to do if I get back there for orientation and come out of it without a trainer. That would kill me, I have already went a month without income, I ain't rich ya know!

Answer:
Ok, I understand now. It sounds like Swift has been to your school and you're watching these attempts to jump the system a bit.
The problem is -- these matches only work out if the trainer (mentor) is positioned to put you on their truck when you complete orientation. I would guess that some of this "I'll see if I can get you on my truck" is more wishful thinking (and sales) than reality. You may have to go home to wait for a trainer. You may have to wait in a motel. Your mentor may quit during training. You may get a terrible trainer and have to request a replacement. There's a LOT of possibilities -- just like the real world of trucking.
I'm a little concerned that you say, " have given up too much to .... wait for a trainer." You'll soon discover, most of your time will be spent waiting for something . Hope you realize that is a big part of the job.
Good luck to you and be safe.
Safety is everything.http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/graphical/sect...onusWeek.php#tabs

Answer:
Here's a coupla tips: It's gonna depend on how picky you are. Are you a smoker or non smoker? If you're a non smoker, it may make a difference. Do you care if you are paired with a female mentor? Just some questions to ask yourself.
If you're not happy with your mentor for whatever reason, document dates, times, and reasons. If you get paired with a mentor on a dedicated run, after a coupla weeks request a mentor that runs all 48 as you won't learn things like mapping routes, trip planning, time management, etc. Also, make sure your mentor is making you do every back, if they won't, request another mentor. You need to learn all you can in a short time, make the most of it.
This is coming from a 3.5 year Swift driver that they beg to become a mentor.

Answer:
Yup, they dropped the word trainer, gave 'em blue shirts with patches, and gave 'em a PC name LOL!

Answer:
I don't really have a preference, as long as the person has the patience to train. Why else would they be a mentor?.....(couldn't possibly be for the extra cash now could it?) I went to a Swift school in Tennessee. Gotta go back for orientation this coming Wednesday. I know its a big waiting game, but how many people can actually go a month with no income? I mean I live far away from there, I heard there was a guy from Millington who was in his 2nd week of waiting for a mentor. Come on! I don't know about anyone else but I know there is no way I can come home from orientation with a cdl and no job or an uncertainty about when the checks are gonna start coming. My wife is not trying to hear that at all. She is doing way more now to support me while I take this journey and I have to have something to show for it. We'll see

Answer:
Mentor: is just a fancy name for trainer.. The reasons why a person becomes one vary with each person.. Most do it for the $$ not the kindness of their heart! Why would you subject yourself to the tourture of trying to share a truck with somone unless it was worth it financialy..??
Putting yourself out on a limb like you did may be a bit daring.. Sounds like you already have some financial difficulties.. Starting a new career in a truck as a student isn't going to be easy! Trainees arn't going to make much $$ while they are training.. so those "checks" you refer to are real not going to amount to much till you get through orientation, training, and get into your own truck... Then you'll see a little money.. At least a month probably 2 months would be a more logical timeframe..
With your trainer you'll be spending most of your paycheck on food, cigeretts, coffee and phone calls home (If you don't have a cell).. I hope your wife is understanding while you go through this transition period.. It is not going to be easy, You are not going to be "making the big bucks" for a while yet.. Plus there is no telling how fast you learn .. How fast your trainer will sign off on you and get your own truck.. You could have a accident the 1st week out and be fired??
Those horror stories about having to wait days in a motel, or somewhere waiting to be picked up by a trainer are real... remember 1 thing in this new adventure you are starting out on... it's like the military.. recruiters LIE! Don't listen to everything a recruiter tells you.. you must read beetween the lines, and be willing to stand up for yourself and say NO.. that's unacceptable.. and I want to see that in writing!! Anything NOT in writing is heresay...They have no obligation to go through with it..
AND STAY AWAY FROM THOSE LEASE PURCHASES: They are
Bull ^$#
Answer:
Those horror stories about having to wait days in a motel, or somewhere waiting to be picked up by a trainer are real...
===============
Bingo!

Answer:
...and so are the horror stories about trainers who don't let students practice parking, plan trips, or do much of anything except drive the easy stuff while the trainer chills in the back -- with ANY large training company.
Do NOT stay on a truck with a trainer who doesn't take the work seriously.
If it's just a personality conflict, try to get along best you can -- the objective is to learn as much as possible and get into your own truck.
But if the trainer is truly abusing you or not letting you learn the basics by doing them, contact your training coordinator (or whatever Swift calls them) and arrange to get off that truck. Period. Don't worry aobut rocking the boat. Worry about learning the job from someone who takes it seriously and at least knows the basics themself.http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/graphical/sect...onusWeek.php#tabs

Answer:
Swift calls them Mentors because they are trained experienced professionals who will do more than just teach you the basics. They will take you under their wing and guide you through the entire lifestyle of trucking one step at a time.
All Swift mentors take the job seriously but if your unlucky and find one that doesn't then try to change. The problem is the waiting time. If you think it takes a long time to get the first one just wait and see how long it takes to get a second one.
You already screwed up. If you can't afford to do it and live with a very small income for the first year or so you shouldn't even be there.

Answer:
Got my Swift mentor. See my posts about it in SWIFT TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTION

Answer:
Hello Jay Dee
I know a guy out on the westcoast, let's just call him D. He's been through 3 mentors(trainers,office flunkees,ETC). He finally got his own truck and has been in and out of the shop 4 times in the last 6 weeks
since he had it. He gave up up a job in the correctional system to get a CDL and work for Swift and has had
enough already. I'm not trying to scare U away but just inform U. I did some checking around and found out that that GREG SMITH really is a Terminal Manager for Swift. And his terminal does treat drivers like 2nd Class Citizens. U can make more working at McDonalds than U can at SWIFT. And these GREG SMITH'S
are everywhere and at every terminal, and they couldn't run a DAIRY QUEEN. Is that the kind of person U
wanna put your life on the line for? Ask your MENTOR about GREG SMITH.DONNY SCHNEIDER TOLD ME THAT.

Answer:
Hey RNB, thanx for the advice. I definitely have been doing my research as far as these trucking companies go. The way I look at it is, I will do my 6 weeks with my mentor, see how it goes once I go solo. I figure I can put up with the B.S. for at least 6 months if it turns out that way. If I don't like what's going on by then, I already have a backup plan. During this time at home while waiting for my mentor, I have been calling around and putting in applications at places who hire class A drivers. They all tell me the same thing, "We need at least 3-6 months experience." So I figure hey, I can spot when a situation goes foul really quickly. If I see that happening, I automatically know I can easily put myself in the mindset that I will only stay for those 6 months and come home and get a job making great money and one that gets me home everyday. (Like working for Sysco, Ryder, or other companies that do local deliveries.)
So thats the way I see it. I know the 6 weeks with the mentor will be easy since the guy is someone I've known for a long time and someone who lives right around the corner from me. And after that, well..............That's up to Swift.

Answer:
X210 should not be here,
80 are nothing but targets,
9 are the real fighters,
and we are lucky to have them,
for they the battle make."
"Ah, but the ONE,
ONE of them is a WARRIOR,
and he will bring the others back."